Razor clam digger



May 14, 1963 J. PucKETT RAZOR CLAM DIGGER Filed Dec. 50, 1960 M. 6 2 4 83 2 e, 6 2 Mlw M.. Y F 3 6 0 2M 2/ w o a 2 W 6 John Pucke 1N VEN TOR.

3,089,721 RAZGR CLAM BIGGER John Puckett, Glympia, Wash., assigner ofone-half t Glenn Courtney, Olympia, Wash. Filed Dec. 30, 1960, Ser. No.79,882 6 Claims. (Cl, 294-597) This invention relates to an improvedmanually usable clam digger which is expressly, but not necessarily,constructed and adapted to be used by inexperienced but enthusiasticclam-digging tourists and others in the category of interested butamateur clam diggers.

Persons conversant with this line of endeavor are aware of the `factthat certain states impose varying law requirements on clam diggingactivities. Certain clam digging problems and prerequisites are lbrieflyrevealed in the Batstone Patent 2,802,689 and need not be reinteratedhere. However, and for general information it is suggested that thereader, in order to better grasp the nature of the present invention,refer to and familiarize himself with the Batstone patent. Having doneso, it will be evident that an object of the instant matter is toimprove upon Batstones clam digger.

To the end stated it will be noted that the herein disclosed digger issuch in construction and design that it more satisfactorily lends itselfto both beach and surf digging requirements. Because of its uniqueconstruction it has proved out to be suitable and practical andfunctions, with equal 'facility and eiciency, whether digging for clamsshowing on the beach or in the surf, as the case may be.

It is desirable, as experience has repeatedly shown, to obviate unduestooping and laborious Crouching when digging for clams; so, for betterhandling and leverage control, an improved handle is provided. Moreparticularly, the present invention offers a well balanced verticallyelongated T-shaped handle which is vented and capable of ready andapproved use. It follows that the only bending and stooping resorted toinvolves picking up the clam yfrom the discharged sand load.

Further, instead of using a cylinder circular in crosssection, the trapor chamber here employed comprises a hollow shell or tube having aslightly flared open bottom or mouth and which is oval in cross-section.The shape and size herein utilized does not damage or kill the clam, orclams, during the digging step. Instead it functions to accommodatinglylit the shape and size of the clam.

In carrying out the instant invention an exhaust orifice is provided atthe center of the top or upper closed end. The relatively long shank orstem of the T-handle is hollow and communicates with the orifice servingas an air passage in remotely located linger-controlled venting means.The hand-grips may be solid from end to end or alternatively at leastone of the hand-grips may be hollow thus providing an extension of thepassage, the same having an exhaust port and, if desired, a projectinglingercontrolled nipple. This adaptation has proved out to be asuccessful solution of the venting problem while standing and using theimplement. Alternatively, perhaps preferably, lthe venting means may beembodied in the upper part of the shank :adjacent to the hand-grips, aswill be hereinafter revealed.

More explicitly, a suitable L-shaped vent is herein employed and thisfeature constitutes an advance over the' Batstone digger as can readilybe understood in that the operator does not, when using the L-shapeddown-pointing venting nipple, have to contend with the air forcing upsand or water in his face as the digger is being pushed down into thesand, as usually happens in using a type of digging device which has anipple opening on the top end of the cylindrical sand chamber PatentedMay 14, 1963 pointing upward and directly into the face of the operator.

Another improvement resides in the T-shaped handle construction whereinthe vertically elongated shank comprises a simple pipe deiining a hollowshank, the crosshead at its upper end having its median portion iixedlyjoined to the upper end of the pipe or shank and thus closing said upperend in a simple but practical manner.

These together with other objects .and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more -fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. l is a view in side elevation with a portion in section of a clamdigger constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention and showing the manner in which it is constructed and adaptedto be used.

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation and at right angles to FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a section on the vertical line 3 3 of FIG. 2, looking in thedirection of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section showing a modified hand-grip with thevent incorporated therein.

With reference to FIGS. l to 4 inclusive the head of the digger, denotedgenerally by the numeral 6 has Ibeen successfully constructed fromgalvanized sheet metal, stainless steel, or equivalent sheet material.This head comprises a closed-top, open-bottom shell or tube andconstitutes a sand chamber. It is substantially oval in cross-sectionand provides diametrically opposite side walls S and rounded transverseend walls I0; The hollow portion as stated defines the sand and clamptrapping chamber l2. It should be noted that the lower open end portionis slightly larger in cross-Section than the upper end portion and isprovided with a suitably beveled piloting and cutting edge I4. The upperend is closed by an appropriately attached ovate plate I6 having acentralized port or korilice I8. The aforementioned improved long handleis T-shaped, the stem or shank being some twentythree inches more orless in length. The cross-section in practice is three-quarters of aninch and the handle as an entity is denoted by the numeral 29 andcomprises a length of pipe or tubing constituting the shank or stem 22,the bore or passage which is denoted at 24. The upper crosshead of the Tis denoted at 26 and has its median or central portion 28 iixedly joinedto the upper end of the stem or tube and thus closes said upper end. Theprojecting end portions provide hand-grips 30.

It is believed to be unnecessary to state the precise material or exactdimensions employed in the construction herein under advisement.However, it may be stated that the upper or top end of the pipe or `stem22 has a three-eighths inch hole drilled therein as perhaps best shownat 32 in FIG. 3 which hole serves to accommodate the coacting longbranch 34 of the L-shaped vent. The depending short branch of thisL-vent is denoted at 36, these features 34 and 36 being located adjacentto the hand-grip depicted at the right say in FIGS. 1- and 3. In actualpractice the hand-grips may be encased with removable rubber or plasticanti-slipping grips (not detailed). It is also to be noted that suitablebraces 38 are provided,lthese being of appropriate dat-bar constructionand diagonally arranged and joined at their upper ends to diametricallyopposite sides of the pipe or tube 22 and having the lower ends joinedto the transverse end portions of the top side of the plate I6.

The relatively small quantity of sand contained in the oval-shaped sandchamber results in a much lighter weighing full capacity load of sandwhich is more easily raised or lifted by the user for each completeddigging operation than the other larger and heavier sand loads raised orlifted by present dimensional stovepipe types for each completed diggingoperation. Therefore, by obviating undue stooping together with thesmaller quantity of sand (weight) to be lifted, persons of a wider agerange (young and old) are able to successfully and more easily operatethis improved digger.

Furthermore, during trial diggings using the herein disclosedoval-shaped sand chamber undamaged larger clams 5% inches in length byapproximately 21/2 -inches in width, were dug. Therefore, this diggerwill dig the larger sized clams equally as eiciently and successfully asit will dig the smaller sized clams, which a 4 or 41/2 inch diametercylindrical shaped sand chamber will not do.

In order to operate the digger the user should stand facing the water.Then, center the digger over the clam hole and push the digger downrocking it back and forth while pushing downward until the sand chamberor tube has lled and until the digger can be pushed no further. Thenplace the forenger over the downwardly facing exhaust terminal 36 androck back and forth as the digger is lifted or raised out of the sand.Now release the sand from the chamber on the ground by lifting theforenger from the covered exhaust nipple or terminal 36. The clam willbe thus released or discharged with the sand intact.

If clams are down unusually deep (for beach digging only) it may benecessary to go down deeper into the same hole a second time. rIhis,however, is seldom necessary, even for beach digging, and is nevernecessary for surf digging.

Each and every time after using the digger, always be sure to rinse theWhole digger in clean water completely, both inside and outside. Thisdigger is designed especially for razor clams, but will dig other clams,too. Experience has shown that a user should not attempt to dig clams inrocks or coarse gravel.

It is reiterated that it is of importance to note the feature of theconstruction wherein an openended length of pipe is used as a suitableshank portion of a T-shaped handle, the upper end of the bore or passagethereof being closed by the intermediate portion 2S of the cross-head,the latter providing handgrips 30 in a manner detailed in FIGS. l and 3in particular.

It is within the purview of the invention to provide a simple hole inthe upper end of the stem just beneath the cooperating grips 30 toeither left or right to that shown in FIG. 3 and to utilize this hole,in lieu of the L-shaped member, as an appropriate vent.

It is also within the purview of the invention to utilize the type ofhandle shown in FIG. 5 wherein the T-shaped handle is denoted at 40, thepipe or stem being indicated at 42 and the passage at 44, said passagecommunicating at its upper end 46 with a hollow portion 4S in thehandgrip 50 the outer end of the grip being closed by a suitable plug52. In this construction the opening providing the vent is in turnprovided with a depending venting nipple 54. The other hand-grip to theleft in FIG. 5 is solid as indicated at 56.

Further attention is directed to the downwardly tapering hollow shellconstituting a convenient and practical digging head and trappingchamber, it being noted that the lower end is increased in cross-sectionto facilitate pressing or forcing the knife-like edge v1li into the sandat the selected spot.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use while facing the surf and digging on the beach, oralternatively, in the surf, a clam digger comprising: a hollow shellvertically elongated ovate in a plane at right angles to the verticalaxis of said shell, said shell being open and provided with an endlesscutting edge at its bottom and being closed at its top except for anaxially centered orifice, the hollow portion of said shell defining andproviding a sand and embedded clam trapping chamber, a T-shaped handleembodying an elongated shank having its lower end rigidly joined to acentral portion of said closed upper end, and a crosshead at rightangles to and centrally joined to the upper end of said shank andproviding hand-grips, said shank being amply long considered inconjunction with the shell to, in this manner, obviate the necessity ofstooping and Crouching when using the digger, one of said hand-gripsbeing hollow, said hollow grip having an underneath side provided withan exhaust port and being further provided with a downwardly disposedfinger controlled nipple registering with said port, said shank beinghollow and providing an open-ended passage, a lower end of said passagebeing registrable with the aforementioned exhaust orifice andcommunicating with said chamber, the upper end of said passageregistering communicably with an end of the hollow portion in theaforementioned hollow hand-grip.

2. A manually usable clam digger for use while digging on the beach oralternatively, digging in the surf comprising: a hollow shell verticallyelongated and ovate in cross-section, said shell being open and providedwith an endless cutting edge at its bottom and being closed at its topexcept for an axially centered air exhausting orice, the hollow portionof said shell defining and proyiding a sand and embedded clam trappingchamber, a T-shaped handle embodying an elongated shank of a lengthapproximately twice the length of said shell, said shank having itslower distal end integrally joined to a central portion of said closedupper end in communieating alignment with said orice, and a cross headat right angles to and joined to the upper end of said shank andproviding diametrically opposite outstanding handgrips, said shank beingrelatively long and in conjunction with said shell functioning toobviate, when in use, the necessity of stooping and Crouching, saidshank being hol low and providing an air passage the lower end of saidair passage communicating with said chamber by way of the exhaustorifice, the upper end of said passage being covered and closed by thatportion of said hand-grip bridging and joined to said shank, said shankbeing provided adjacent to said hand-grip with a venting hole, saidshank being further provided with a lateral outstanding lingercontrolled L-shaped venting member having a long branch adjacent andparallel `to an underneath side of one of said hand-grips and joined atone end to the shank and communicable with said venting hole, the otherend of said lon-g -branch terminating in a relatively short branch alsolocated in a position adjacent to and directed downwardly andterminating adjacent said one handgrip whereby the end of said shortbranch may be opened and closed at will by a finger of that hand whichembraces said one hand-grip.

3. The structure in claim 1 and wherein the lower end of said shank isprovided with diametrically opposite outstanding diagonal braces, theinner ends of said braces being connected to said shank and the outerends being connected to said closed top, said crosshead being of alength greater than the ovate cross-section of the shell, whereby toassist the user in orienting himself and the component parts of thedigger in relating his position of use relative to the surf.

4. A clam digger expressly designed and adapted for use while facing thesurf and appropriate for digging on the beach as well as in the surfcomprising: a hollow vertically elongated shell embodying a pair ofdiametrically opposit vertical side walls having their lengthwiseportions joined by vertical end walls, the body portion of said shellbeing closed at its upper end, wholly open at its lower end and of alength that it may be forcibly pressed and completely embedded in thebeach, the body portion of said shell being substantially ovate in topand bottom plan, the major axis of said body portion in a plane at rightangles -to the longitudinal axis being of a length less than thevertical length thereof, the hollow portion of said shell defining atrapping chamber, a rigid handle T-shaped in elevation and embodying avert-ically elongated shank and a relatively short horizontal crossbeadproviding a pair of handgrips, said shank being of a length greater thanthe length of said shell and amply long that it in conjunction with saidshell permits the nser -to utilize the di-gger in a stand-up position,the lower end of said shank being physically connected with an axialportion of the closed end of said shell, said T-shaped handle permittingthe user to bodily rock the shell back- 'ward and forward dur-ing thetime it is being forcibly shoved into the beach and, alternatively, whenit is being withdrawn, and elongated passage means communicable with thechamber in a manner to vent the chamber at will, said passage meansembodying a remote controlled air exhaust port situated in proximity toat least one of the handgrips, facing downwardly and being readilyopenable and closable by a linger of that hand which is applied to saidone handgrip.

5. The structure defined in claim 4 and wherein said shell tapersgradually upward from said lower end to said upper closed end, and saidshank is of a length approximately twice the vertical length of saidshell.

6. The structure delined in claim 4 and wherein said shell tapersgradually upward from said lower end to said upper closed end, saidshank being of a length approximately twice the ver-tical length of saidshell, said crosshead being of a length greater than the length of theminor laxis of the ovate body portion of said shell and having its outerend portions projecting to positions beyond said side walls in a mannerto assist the user in orienting himself and the digger in respect to theaforementioned surf-facing position of use.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 411,285Gray et al. Sept. 17, 1889 785,742 Lipps Mar. 28, 1905 2,802,689Batstone Aug. 13, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 128,853 Great Britain Ju-ly 3,1919 296,139 Great Britain Aug. 30, 1928 865,902 Great ABritain Apr. 19,1961

1. FOR USE WHILE FACING THE SURF AND DIGGING ON THE BEACH, ORALTERNATIVELY, IN THE SURF, A CLAM DIGGER COMPRISING: A HOLLOW SHELLVERTICALLY ELONGATED OVATE IN A PLANE AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE VERTICALAXIS OF SAID SHELL, SAID SHELL BEING OPEN AND PROVIDED WITH AN ENDLESSCUTTING EDGE AT ITS BOTTOM AND BEING CLOSED AT ITS TOP EXCEPT FOR ANAXIALLY CENTERED ORIFICE, THE HOLLOW PORTION OF SAID SHELL DEFINING ANDPROVIDING A SAND AND EMBEDDED CLAM TRAPPING CHAMBER, A T-SHAPED HANDLEEMBODYING AN ELONGATED SHANK HAVING ITS LOWER END RIGIDLY JOINED TO ACENTRAL PORTION OF SAID CLOSED UPPER END, AND A CROSSHEAD AT RIGHTANGLES TO AND CENTRALLY JOINED TO THE UPPER END OF SAID SHANK ANDPROVIDING HAND-GRIPS, SAID SHANK BEING AMPLY LONG CONSIDERED INCONJUCTION WITH THE SHELL TO, IN THIS MANNER, OBVIATE THE NECESSITY OFSTOOPING AND CROUCHING